McCain skips Benghazi briefing, gets testy when questioned by CNN  —  (CNN) - Most of the Republican members of a Senate committee investigating the terrorist attack at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, skipped a classified briefing by administration officials on the incident Wednesday, CNN has learned.

Maine Republican chairman questions black voters  —  Charlie Webster causes a stir with claims that hundreds of unknown black people cast ballots in rural Maine towns.  —  Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster is once again alleging possible voting irregularities …

Respected agent in Seattle terror probe leaked Petraeus case  —  The FBI agent who started the email inquiry that eventually led to the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus is known for his work in Seattle leading the investigation into millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam.

Petraeus: I did not pass classified info  —  (CNN) — Former CIA Director David Petraeus, in conversations with an HLN journalist, insisted that his resignation had nothing to do with his scheduled testimony about the September attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya.

Jindal rejects Romney's ‘gifts’ theory  —  LAS VEGAS — Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal forcefully rejected Mitt Romney's claim that he lost because of President Barack Obama's “gifts” to minorities and young voters.  —  Asked about the failed GOP nominee's reported comments on a conference call …

Scott DesJarlais supported ex-wife's abortions, slept with patients, divorce transcript shows … A decade before calling himself “a consistent supporter of pro-life values,” Tennessee physician and Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais supported his ex-wife's decision to get two abortions …

John Metz, Denny's Franchisee And Hurricane Grill & Wings Owner, Imposes Surcharge For Obamacare … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Obama Health Care, Video, Hurricane Grill & Wings, John Metz, John Metz Dairy Queen, John Metz Dennys, John Metz Obamacare Surcharge, Obamacare, Obamacare Hiring Freezes …

Murray: Can't guarantee 2014 budget  —  Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) confirmed Thursday that she will seek the chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee next year but told The Hill that she cannot commit to doing a budget.  —  This opens up the possibility that Senate Democrats …

Gaza missiles fired at Tel Aviv  —  Palestinian militants have attempted to hit Israel's largest city, Tel Aviv, with missiles fired from the Gaza Strip.  —  An Israeli military spokesman said two missiles had been launched towards the Tel Aviv area but neither had hit it.

RNC report suggests other reasons why Romney lost  —  While Mitt Romney has attributed his defeat, in part, to “gifts” President Obama was able to shower on key constituencies, a Republican National Committee report on the election points to other reasons — like changing demographics …

Obama: HUD Secretary to head post-Sandy rebuilding efforts  —  President Obama announced Thursday he was appointing Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan as the administration's point person for rebuilding efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy after a tour of some of the areas …

Jackson Jr. won't resign until he gets disability pay: EXCLUSIVE  —  Sources tell FOX 32 News that Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. is willing to give up his 2nd Congressional District seat if he's given disability when he steps down.  —  Jackson Jr. was re-elected to his tenth term but last month …

Fox News Captions Footage Of Illegal Border Crossings With ‘The Hispanic Vote’  —  Since Mitt Romney lost the Hispanic vote in record numbers on Election Day, some Republican lawmakers and conservative pundits have openly conceded that the party has a “rhetoric” problem when it comes …

Gay Support Buoyed Obama  —  While President Obama's lopsided support among Latino and other minority voters has been a focus of postelection analysis, the overwhelming support he received from another growing demographic group — Americans who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual — has received much less attention.

The Lessons of Defeat for the GOP  —  Everything from the ground game to the date of the next convention needs to be re-examined.  —  The GOP is undergoing the type of re-examination that occurs whenever a party loses.  That useful exercise should be guided by facts.  Here is some of what we know.

EXCLUSIVE: Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS Never Filed Legally Required Registration  —  When Karl Rove's Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies (GPS) formed in 2010, it established its official address in Warrenton, VA, and registered with the Internal Revenue Service a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) “social welfare organization.”

Barack Obama's Persuasion Army  —  The president has finally made the permanent campaign a reality.  —  Two days after the election, a friend told me that because he has an Asian surname, he was inundated for months with emails from liberal Asian groups urging him to vote for Barack Obama.

Is it game over for Grover Norquist?  —  The anti-tax activist's grip on power, even in the GOP, has never been weaker — just as he faces a critical test  —  Two meetings in Washington today tell the story of the decline of Grover Norquist, the conservative activist who is seeing …